Before the next Candy Crush (like Farmville and Angry Birds before it) dominates your free time, fill the day with these useful habits. Other successful people already do.

1. Productive people network even when they have a job

They spend an extra 30 minutes at an after-work happy hour mingling and chatting. They always remember to use the six most powerful words in networking and and use free time to develop business relationships.

Plus, who doesn’t need a stiff drink after a long day?

2. They send thoughtful notes just because

A “thank you” here, a “congratulations” there… productive people send off little notes (or tweets) because they make someone’s day.

They know the power of a compliment and particularly one that’s out of the blue.

3. They tinker with side hustles

Mobile gaming is mindless. A side project on something you’re passionate about? That’s the brain firing on all cylinders.

4. They update their LinkedIn profiles

Productive people are keenly aware of how they look to other people. When they have a few minutes to spare, they check on their LinkedIn profiles and maybe even rework the Summary section (like this).

They might also dust off their actual resumes to ensure they’re current.

You never know when you’ll need it.

5. They read the news

Especially news about their specific industry. It’s so valuable to understand the latest headlines and trends in your line of work. Then you can see what’s coming and how to adapt. But mostly you can impress important people when sitting around big, fancy conference tables.

About Danny Rubin

Danny Rubin is a media strategist and the managing editor of News To Live By™, a blog for Millennials that highlights the career advice and leadership lessons "hidden" in the day's top stories. A former TV reporter, he's always looking for ways to apply the news to our own lives. Follow him at @NewsToLiveBy.